W. M. H. French, May 10, 1864

GENERAL:

Col. W. L. Jackson arrived here last night at 12 o’clock. His command was 1,000 strong, not yet arrived, one company of which, mounted, will arive here this morning ; the remainder of his. force, unmounted, will arrive this evening and to-morrow. He has two pieces of artillery, one rifled piece, which will arrive this. evening. The other eae) will arrive to-morrow. Your orders for defense of this place have been obeyed. No force yet heard of moving directly on this point. The enemy is reported 500 or 600 strong at Lewisburg, and a force also at Meadow Bluff. I have had no intelligence from you since Sunday night. Courier left here to return to you yesterday morning. Lieutenant Craig, of the: Seventeenth, who has been closely watching the enemy’s movements. in the direction of Dublin, sent me information last night that the enemy’s train had passed the top of Cloyd’s Mountain, and established. a picket on the eastern slope of the mountain near the top. Lieutenant Craig will continue close on the enemy, and report to me their movements. Colonel Jackson’s horses, being poor and tired, were left in Monroe County. Keep me posted as to what I shall do. I think it safest to send my courier acrossthe river at Brown’s Ferry and up the other side, to recross at Major Kent’s.

very respectfully, &c.,